Pork & Shrimp Shumai

Name: Pork & Shrimp Shumai
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 60 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb All-Purpose Egg Dough; 60 store-bought dumpling skins; dried whole-cap medium shiitake mushrooms; 1/2 lb small to medium shrimp peeled and minced to a chunky paste; 1 1/2 lb ground pork; scallions thinly sliced; 1 tsp sugar; kosher salt; 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; 3 tbsp soy sauce; Sambal; 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil

Cuisine:Chinese

Course:Snack

1h 0m prep 10m cook 1h 10m ready

Shumai are Chinese steamed dumplings filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms. They are typically served with dipping sauces like soy-lime or chili oil.

Step 1.

Prepare the All-Purpose Egg Dough according to the instructions on the referenced page, or set out 60 store-bought dumpling skins. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
Step 2.

Place 5 to 6 dried shiitake mushrooms in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 20–30 minutes until softened. Drain, squeeze out excess water, remove and discard stems, and finely mince the caps. (Reserve the soaking liquid for another use if desired.)
Step 3.

Peel and devein ½ pound shrimp (51/60 or 41/50 count), then mince into a chunky paste. In a large bowl, combine the minced mushrooms, shrimp, 1½ pounds ground pork, 4 to 5 thinly sliced scallions, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or sake/dry sherry), 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 to 3 tablespoons sambal (start with 1 tablespoon if store-bought), and 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil.
Step 4.

Stir the filling vigorously with a wooden spoon, smashing and spreading the mixture against the bowl, for 2 to 3 minutes until fully blended and tacky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
Step 5.

While the filling chills, prepare the steamer: line a bamboo or metal steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves, leaving small gaps for steam circulation. Bring water in the wok or pot to a boil.
Step 6.

Form the shumai: Place a dumpling skin in your palm, add about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center, and gather the edges around the filling, leaving the top exposed. Gently squeeze to shape into a cylinder with a flat bottom. Tap the bottom on the counter to flatten. If desired, garnish the exposed filling with a pinch of finely grated carrot or a slice of scallion.
Step 7.

Arrange the shumai in the steamer basket, leaving ½ inch between them. Steam over boiling water, covered, for 8–10 minutes until the filling is cooked through and the skins are translucent. (If using store-bought skins, reduce steaming time by 1–2 minutes.)
Step 8.

Remove the steamer basket from heat. Let the shumai rest for 1 minute before serving. Serve with soy-lime sauce, gyoza sauce, or chili oil.